The last week of December I was on the water out of Flamingo for three days ending on the 29th. Right now all the action in the interior is centered around a great speckled trout bite along with good sized redfish every day. My anglers each day have more than limited out on the trout, finding them in feeding lanes everywhere we went. For the catch and release angler that translates to 20 to 40 keeper sized fish each in Whitewater or Oyster Bays. For those that want fish for the table we're usually limiting out in the first hour or two each day using light weight spinning with lures or bait... and fly anglers aren't far behind. All the redfish we're finding have been solid slot sized fish as well - with the largest in the 25 to 26" size range. With high winds along the Gulf coast this past week all of our efforts have been either inside or in areas well protected from the wind elsewhere. The giant tarpon are still up inside but cooler water temps have them not feeding. Our only tarpon bite came early last week... and it was a giant, well over 100lbs. That big girl ate a small jig meant for a trout but we were only able to stay connected for one jump.... A few other surprises came our way in the interior - both pompano (large) and permit (small). The interior of the 'Glades is the place to be now with winter firmly in charge.... Now for some pics to tell their stories....
Yoel and Mercedes Rodriguez had plenty of fish to take home after their first day in the interior out of Flamingo. They limited out on trout and caught and (mostly) released some nice reds, keeping one each for the table....]
Not to be outdone Mercedes caught her share as well...
with two small boys at home they can't wait to bring them to Flamingo...
Several day earlier Fred brought his two grandsons, Sam and Gabe, on their first outing into the backcountry and the story was much the same....
Each young angler caught fish until they got tired, but Fred caught the best redfish of the day with this solid slot fish from Oyster Bay....
I'm hoping to see them again.....
Finally, both these fish came from Whitewater and are great examples of the difference between permit and pompano.... Both fish jumped on Gulp tailed lead heads and really put a bend in the light rods in use..
Here's local angler Chris Brincak with a nice pompano.
and visiting angler Jeff Berney with a small permit... Yep, both from Whitewater Bay....
Tight Lines
Bob LeMay
(954) 435-5666